Pop-up Inspiration: Holiday Table Tents

Let's talk about tents -- table tents, that is. They're the three-sided, tent-shaped signs you often see on tables in restaurants advertising the daily specials, and they're perfect to use as signage in your store during the upcoming holidays.

Let's talk about tents -- table tents, that is. They're the three-sided, tent-shaped signs you often see on tables in restaurants advertising the daily specials, and they're perfect to use as signage in your store during the upcoming holidays.

I just received my latest Paper Direct catalog in the mail. I've ordered from it for years because of its extensive supply of interesting stationery products -- and this issue was no different. It was filled with papers to use for holiday invitations, tri-fold brochures, note cards and event accessories.

But it was the selection of holiday-themed table tents that captured my attention and gave me a merchandising idea. Paper Direct offers table tents printed with colorful holiday images like ornaments, twigs and berries, stars, streamers and confetti. Using them, create a holiday gift table and sign it with a table tent reading "Holiday Gift Ideas." Put a table tent by the cash register with the reminder: "Don't forget to pick up stocking stuffers!" Place one on a rack or bin of fleece tops as a reminder: "Remember to layer with our selection of first layers." Position table tents around the store as reminders or suggestions for additional purchases, as sale or price signs, or simply as brand identifiers.

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Two of the table tent designs from Paper Direct are also available in postcards, note cards and envelopes. Using the note cards or postcards, have your staff jot a quick note to key customers inviting them to visit the store to purchase their holiday gifts. Use them to publicize a holiday Open House event. Repeating the same holiday motif in many different communication materials is preferable.

Go online to www.paperdirect.com to peruse the company's products. The table tents are item numbers HCTT 978,949,903 and 971. And if you act fast, you can take advantage of the 50 percent off Holiday Sale now in progress. Phone 800-272-7377.

I don't want to sound like an advertisement but this company is truly worth checking out. You can also visit your local office supply store as it, too, stocks holiday-themed papers.

Sharon Leicham's merchandising column appears twice a month in SNEWS. Leicham is the author of Merchandising Your Way to Success and How to Sell to Women and is a frequent contributor to trade magazines writing on merchandising and marketing topics. She recently launched a website, www.merchandisingHUB.com, with information targeted at the independent specialty retailer.

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